First home since 2009 flood sells on lower Cochise

Here’s a look at some recent home sales in the Smyrna area. And according to Vinings-based residential real estate agent Lesa Bell, a pair of homes in Vinings sold this week, including 3225 Teton Drive for $1.2 million and 3869 Brandy Station Court on a short sale for $800,000.

Also, late last year the first home since the September 2009 flood sold on lower Cochise Drive in Vinings. The house at 3642 Cochise Dr. went for $600,000. The entire lot is in the 100-year flood plain that travels all the way down Cochise until it turns up the hill. Currently there are four houses listed on lower Cochise; all are priced well over $1 million.

How are homes selling in your neighborhood? Has crime been an issue with housing prices in your neighborhood? A recent rash of graffiti vandalism in the Smyrna Heights neighborhood caused residents to speak with Office Mike Smith about increased patrols.

Are there current issues in your neighborhood that you would like Smyrna-Vinings Patch to investigate further? Let is know.

Finally, here’s some tips on how to embrace your home’s bare look now that the Christmas decorations have come down. These again come compliments of Lesa Bell, an agent with Harry Norman Realtors who specializes in Smyrna, Vinings, Paces, Buckhead, Chastain and Sandy Springs. Learn more about Bell and what she has to offer her clients here.

Now that the Christmas decorations are taken down things look a little sparse don’t they? Embrace your new sleek look, and use it as a launching point to simplify your living space. 

Simple is serene and inviting. This is especially true if your house is on the market. Here are some easy ideas to freshen and update for winter. Clean under big pieces of furniture; have carpets cleaned and polish wood furniture. Wipe down all lighting fixtures so that they sparkle.

Update any old bell-shaped lamp shades with pleated, drum or hourglass shapes from Lamp Arts on Howell Mill or the Lamp Shoppe on Miami Circle. The Christmas greenery is gone. Now what? Buy a white orchid in a plastic container, insert into a pretty pottery planter or deep bowl and cover with chartreuse moss. Orchids and moss can be purchased at Pike’s. Orchids remain beautiful for months, even in my house. Trust me, they’re foolproof!

Do you have a corner where your nativity set or collection of angels once sat and it now empty and sad? Put a reliable, low light fern such as Austral Gem. This has survived under my abusive neglect for several months now and is available at Pike’s. Place the fern in its plastic container directly in a planter and cover with a little chartreuse moss.

Other ideas for table tops are pottery bowls (McCarty’s, Peter’s and R Wood are good sources) filled with pine cones, green apples, figs or pomegranates. Add a West Elm throw to brighten and soften a chair or sofa. These are a steal at $29. For a simple structural look add branches such as willow, tallow berry, cotton bolls (http://www.cottonman.com/cotton.htm).

January is white sale month. Take the opportunity to update your towels. Family, friends and clients call me “the culling witch” for good reason. Can you look around your house and see small keepsakes or framed photographs (yes, I’m heartless) that look a little tired? Remove them to a Rubbermaid container and store. If you don’t miss them after several months, consider them permanently edited from your new simple and serene space.

Enjoy the process of cleaning and freshening in January. Spring will be here before you know it! - Lesa Bell